So, confession time. I wouldn’t typically call myself a minimalist. That’s because my natural tendencies are not that way. I’m more of a mix between a pack-rat and a mom who desperately wants to be organized. I do have my moments, however, then I go back over to dark side.
Actually, the truth be told, with 7 kiddos I need to be much more streamlined than I ever needed to be before.
My Biggest Problem
My biggest pack-rat tendency has to do with homeschool supplies and books. Gulp. I love my books. I probably could open up a library out of my home. Maybe a mini-book store. Anyway, the first step is admitting I have this tiny problem.
My Laundry Downsizing Challenge
Last year I found myself getting so exasperated at the amount of little girl clothes we owned that I downsized in a very big way. I went through all of our kid clothes and saved 7 outfits for each kid (except our two youngest who kept 10 outfits each).
This worked wonderfully for us. Why? I thought you might ask.
With as many kids as we have, I was noticing that our laundry would pile and pile and pile and then once my kids realized they were running low on clothing, they would bring it to be washed.
Yes, I know, that was partly my fault. However, in my defense I had a newborn baby and was trying to juggle a lot. So, guess what happens when you have 7 kids with a million outfits each that now need to be washed? Exactly. It could take a week just to get all the clothes clean and then put back away.
However, with 7 outfits each it is so easy for me, for my husband, even for our 13 year old to do the laundry.
Our Minimalism Challenge
So, back to this challenge. I decided I need more of this minimalistic stuff to follow me into the New Year. That is why I have made an easy minimalism challenge to get your New Year started right, too. I’ve included one or two simple tasks to do from Monday-Friday each week ending the First Week of February. Each Saturday your only chore is to drive the extra stuff to the local Goodwill or Church Clothing Ministry. You get Sunday off completely.
My Fears Realized
Whenever I start projects like this I realize pretty quickly that I feel way too many emotions when I try to actually get rid of stuff. I feel guilt over money, or over not keeping something someone gave me (even if it was a decade ago), I feel sadness over someone who is gone, or over memories past. There is just a lot of junk that I carry through the junk that I keep. What a mess!
I tell you that to say that we are in this together! If you are like me, just know that you aren’t alone. I hope this inspires you to keep up with your New Year’s Resolutions. Join me on Instagram as I share what we are cleaning each day of this challenge!
Download Your Challenge
Download your calendar now to start your minimalism challenge:
January Minimalism Challenge
I love the idea of downsizing because there is way less clutter, and you feel better with not as much junk. I’m looking forward to more posts like this!
I really like the idea of this!
Cutting down on the number of clothes sounds great. I have the same problem with laundry with 5 kids. My middle boys make a disaster of their closets with the clean clothes pulling them out and balling them up that it’s another area that would be helped.
We did a similar thing in our kitchen a couple of months ago. We took everything out and cut down to only having what we actually used and needed. When we were done we put it all back in the cupboards and drawers where it made sense to put it, instead of just where it fit.
It has been so nice.
That sounds awesome! I can’t wait to get through each room. It is so freeing!
Recently we moved to a nice sized house with smaller closets and bathrooms. I have been in the process of minimizing and this is sooo timely for us! We really don’t need all this stuff and it weighs you down. Looking forward to your ideas.